The Giants got off to an active start for the free agency, but things stopped a little on Friday as negotiations with wide receiver Kenny Golladay extended into their second day. Contract negotiations are likely to start on Saturday.
But even after (or if) the Giants reach an agreement with Golladay, they still have gaps in the list of players to fill. Much of that spackling will come in the NFL Draft, but there will be ways to improve the cast at the free agency by signing useful players on one-year bargain contracts. That has been the Giants’ approach to many of their non-Golladay pursuits this off-season, including players like wide receiver John Ross and linebacker Reggie Ragland.
Who is still available for the Giants to sign for a cheap price?
Here are 15 interesting potential targets that would make sense if the price was right:
CB Gareon Conley: The Giants need an upgrade in the cornerback and Conley is interesting. The former first-round pick lost all of last season due to an ankle injury. If he is healthy, it is worth flying for the 25 year old man. He had 28 pass deviations in 2018-19.
WR / RB Cordarrelle Patterson: One of the best returns in NFL history and a versatile offensive weapon. Coach Joe Judge loves him. It’s worth it, whether they roll Golladay or not.
EDGE Jeremiah Attaochu: The Giants have yet to sign an external linebacker, and Attaochu, 28, is an intriguing player. He had five bags in 2020 for the Broncos, the biggest since he got six for the Chargers in 2015.
G Forrest Lamp: Name of the elite. The ex-player of the second round is only 26 years old. He struggled in 2020, but it was also his first season as a full-time starter. The Giants need competition on guard, especially since Shane Lemieux and Will Hernandez are the only options now, after cutting Kevin Zeitler.
G John Miller: The 27-year-old has been a Panthers, Bengals and Bills starter for the past three seasons and is a potential competition in the right guard.
EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad: The 25-year-old played 56% of the pressure for Indianapolis last season, although he was not a starter in any game. He was classified as one of the best edge-to-edge rushers in the league in Pro Football Focus, ranking 19th out of 105 points to play at least 300 snaps. He had 25 pressures and four hits of QB last season, and five combined sacks in the past two years.
S Duron Harmon: He has some ties to the Giants. He played for the Patriots for seven years, crossing paths with the judge and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. He is close friends with defender Logan Ryan of his time in New England and at Rutgers. He played for Lions last year, which means that senior executive Kyle O’Brien knows him well. The 30-year-old is probably not a full-time starter at this stage in his career and the Giants could use a little bit of security behind Ryan-Jabrill Peppers-Xavier McKinney, who will have significant signings next season.
CB Rasul Douglas: The NJ native was solid last season for the Panthers after being withdrawn from resignations. He was a solid – albeit inconsistent – outside corner for the Eagles before that. Only 26.
RB Kalen Ballage: A young and strong runner who played some decent games for the Chargers last season. The Giants still have only two running backs after signing with Devontae Booker. They should try to catch newbies (not drafted or not), but Ballage (25) can probably be hired to the bare minimum.
WR Isaiah McKenzie: One more option if the Giants do not sign Golladay. Another intriguing, versatile and explosive player, it is worth betting to compete with guys like John Ross and Dante Pettis.
G / T Joe Haeg: He is not a first-rate player, but the 27-year-old has experience in guard and tackle and would like to add some depth.
G / C Joe Looney: The Giants tried to sign him last season before he finally signed with the Cowboys. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett trained him. He’s coming out of a difficult year, but Looney would add depth to the guard and the center, at least.
S Sean Davis: A top scorer for first-rate special teams who could replace Nate Ebner. He has 27 years.
DL Tanoh Kpassagnon: Another driver that is worth tackling on the defensive line, as Ifeadi Odenigbo. The 26-year-old is a big size (6-7 pounds, 289 pounds) and started 15 games for the Chiefs last season. He has 70 combined pressures in the past two years.
DL DeMarcus Walker: The Broncos ex-pick in the second round has 8.5 combined bags in the past two years, serving as a reserve in Denver. He is also only 26 years old.
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